Its never good enough

Lead guitar - Playing the guitar
Canada
June 20, 2011 5:10pm CST
My brother is 50 yrs old and when he was in his teens and up until he was in his late 20's, he was in a band playing lead guitar. He was very good and they were even on tv. But every time he talked about his music, he always said it wasnt good enough. Well he must have had time to practice since he was 20 yrs old. He wasnt in a band, got a job and been with the same women for 30 yrs now. Lately he lost his job and went back to playing guitar. Last night at dad's we sat in his car and listened to a CD he made. Its really good. I liked it a lot and asked him if he had a copy for me so I can listen to it at home. He said he didnt want to amke copies of the 50 CD he had made of his music with his friend because it wasnt good enough!!!!! I told him that it sounded great and nobody will notice if its not perfect. I told him he and his friend should video themselves and post on Youtube. He says he cant do that because they're not good enough yet. Well WHEN are you going to be good enough I asked. You've been saying this for the past 30 yrs or so you know? You have to move on and stop being so negative about your music. I told him that Id like to have all the CDs he made so I can copy them and listen to them. I dont think he will though and its too bad. Do you know of anyone who has talents in something but think they are never good enough??
6 responses
• Philippines
21 Jun 11
Hi MagicalBubbles! well I think your brother doesn't have enough confidence in himself to show the world or to other people what talent he has in his arsenal. I am also a guitarist myself although not that good nor that bad. I have friends in college who are also good music players and also posted a video of themselves on youtube but they only did it just for fun, didn't planned to take it as a career. I don't think youtube has a guideline like "only those who are good music makers can post a video", I don't think so, everybody can post videos on their site whatever kind or how poor it is. you did the right thing for encouraging him to stop thinking negative with his music, you can't really blame him for doing so. after all, he's your brother and you love his music composition. But don't stop there, just always tell him that you love his music and you'll always be proud of him, who knows he'd start appreciating and loving his own music.
2 people like this
• Canada
21 Jun 11
Hi Asiacevillar! Oh I know my brother lacks confidence in himself. Ive heard things on youtube that were horrible, so I know he's not that bad haha!! I will keep at it and tell him that he needs to trust us with his music and be proud of what he does. I wont give up. Thank you for replying!!
• United States
20 Jun 11
Huh, we talk about this all the time. See my boyfriend is an actor and a very good one too. He is also a Director and recently Directed his third show. My son and I both were explaining his career with several others, just a couple days ago and the first thing my son said is that he is too modest as he is really fantastic at his acting. I think and maybe wrong but when people like your brother are actually really good at something like his music they usually do not like to say they are as they are their toughest critic. My boyfriend has won two Jeff Nominations and is up for his first in Directing and still, I asked him last night how did the show go and hes said, could be better. lol.. see I can't get him to agree like the world does about his excellent talent. Congrats to your brother and maybe someday he will not be so hard on himself.
1 person likes this
• Canada
20 Jun 11
I guess you're right. You should know since your boyfriend is a great director who was nominated not once but twice!!!! You must be right that they are their worse critics then. Congratulations to your boyfriend and lets hope that him and my brother see how good they are eventually. Thanks!
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
21 Jun 11
oops, sorry, that was supposed to go in to my response box.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
21 Jun 11
i know lots of people like that. it is too bad when they lack in self confidence but i think that every artist hits that at some point in their life.
1 person likes this
• Canada
21 Jun 11
Ive never noticed this in others but from reading all the answers in my discussion, I can see that so many are like my brother. Well as long as he'll let me listen to his music, I guess theres nothing else I can do about him doing what he loves the most. Thank you!!
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
20 Jun 11
No musician ever thinks they're "good enough". It is what drives us to be better. I know I'm good, I think I'm actually a pretty skilled and talented guitarist, but I never consider my development as an artist to be complete. Music ability is a perpetual work in progress that begins when a piece of music first catches our ear at a young age and inspires to learn....and finishes only when we leave this world, leaving the torch behind for someone else to pick up where we left off.
1 person likes this
• Canada
21 Jun 11
Thanks for explaining it to me. I feel sad because my brother wont even let me post his music on youtube for all to hear. Im sure he'd be discovered and will finally be happy. Im saying happy because I know he's not happy right now working at jobs that have nothing to do with music. He lives to play. Good luck to you and your music.......Im sure you're VERY GOOD!! Thanks for explaining it to me!
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
21 Jun 11
he must have a very high standard. he only has himself to beat. just let him be and accept the things he want to believe in. i have not known of anyone like your brother. there are a lot i met who are the opposite. they believe so much about themselves even if they're not true.
1 person likes this
• Canada
21 Jun 11
You are very wise and what you say sounds true. Yes so many think of himself too much while others put themselves down. You're right, he's in competition with himself. Too bad because I did enjoy his music....its very good. Thanks for sharing your views, I appreciate it.
@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
21 Jun 11
Well I guess most artist's thinking is like your brother.They always say they aren't good enough.Well we may say that the public who appreciates their talents are the one's who really knows if they are good or not and they are too humble to accept that.They want to be perfect but no one is perfect in this world. I hope you can convince your brother to show his talents to the world to be appreciated.
• Canada
21 Jun 11
Sounds like all artists think this way. Im an artist, I paint and Im proud of what I do and everybody can see my paintings as they are on my walls. Sadly I cant let them go because I like them too much, so whenever someone wants to buy them.....I cant sell them haha!! Maybe I need to give some of my confidence to my brother!! Nobody is perfect, you're right and Im sure if someone were to look at my paintings with a critical eye, they'd find mistakes.....but I dont care, I like them and this is how my brother should feel about his music. I wont let him down, I'll keep nagging him haha! Thanks for replying!